Printing apparatus



March 24. 1925. 7 G. F. POND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1921 5 Sheets+Sheet 1 March 24. 1925. 1,530,616

' G. F. POND PRINTING Armand:

Filed Dec. 15, 1,921 $.Shsets-Shoet 2 "0 W IIMW o w Marcl1 24. 1925. 1,530,616

G. F. POND PRINTING APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 15, 1921 s'sneua-smdx -s i: @W @M Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE.

GEORGE rRANoIs POND, OFEAST AURORA, new YORK, ASSIGNOR 'ro GUY J. EVANS, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 15, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FRANCIS POND, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Aurora, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Printing Appara-.

ing sheets or "cards in a stack successively and expeditiously.

Another object is to so construct the apparatus that the same can be quickly and readily adjusted for printing cards or sheets of different dimensions.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved printing apparatus, showing the position of the parts while in operation. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same. Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, showing the position of the parts when not in operation. Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the machine. Figure 5 is a fragmentary ho-riaontal section taken on line 55, Fig. 3. Figures 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary vertical sections taken on the corresponding- 1y numbered lines in Fig. 5, Fig. 8 being on an enlarged scale. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the stencil holder or printing frame. Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 1010, Fig. 9.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

, 20 represents a horizontal'table or platen upon which either a single sheet or card 21 to be printed, or a plurality of the same may be supported durin the operation of .printing the same. This platen is preferably constructed of a sheet of metal and is provided on the.underside of its corners with supporting legs 22 whereby the same is raised above the surface upon which the legs restand avoids interference with the working parts of the apparatus on the underside of Serial No. 522,592.

the platen. On itsnpper side the platen is provided with gaging and retaining devices whereby the sheets or cards to be printed are held in the proper position to be operated upon by the impression devices. These gaging and retaining means in their preferred form comprise two upright front gage pins 23, 23, adapted to be engaged by the .fr0nt edge of the sheet to be printed and two upright side gage pins 24, 24 adapted to be engaged by one of the longitudinal or side edges of the sheet. The front gage pins are arranged transversely side by side in guide openings 25, 25, in the front part of the platen and the sidegage pins 24 are arranged side by side lengthwise of the platen and engaged with one or another pair of guide openings 26, 26, in the platen adjacent to one of its longitudinal edges. The upper ends of the front gage pins 23 are connected by a horizontal transverse retaining bar' or plate 27, the inner part of which is adapted to overhang the upper side of the sheet to be printed along the front edge thereof and hold the same against displacement while being printed. The front gage pins and retaining plate are yieldingy held in an elevated position by means of a cross bar 28 arranged below the platen and detachably connected at its opposite ends with the lower ends of thefront gage pins by openings 29 arranged in this bar and receiving said pi s, shoulders 30 arranged on these pins a d engaging with the upper side of this bar and clamping screws 31 arranged on the lower ends of these pins and engaging with the underside of this bar, and an elevating spring 32, preferably of leaf form, arranged below the platen and secured at one end to a post 33 on the underside of the platen by means of a clamping screw 34, while its opposite end bears against the underside of the central part of this bar and is provided with a longitudinal slot 35 which receives a pin 36 depending from this bar, as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. Each of the side gage pins is provided at its upper end with a retaining head or annular flange 37which is adapted to engage with the top of the sheet adjacent to the respective side edge thereof and pre vent displacement of the same during the printing operation. When the printing devices are disengaged from thesheet, the side gage pins are raised and each held yieldingly in this position by an elevating spring 38 which is secured at its rear end to the underside of the platen and engages.

'. vating spring is secured at its rear end to a similar post 42 on the underside of the platen by means of a clam ing screw 43.

guide openings 26, as shown by dotted lines pile of sheets, t

The front gage pins are emp oyed for gaging the sheets or cards at their front edges regardless of the dimensions of the same but the side gage pins are shifted from one pair of guide openings 26 to another to suit the particular width of the sheets or cards which are being printed, a suitable number of pairs of openings 26. being provided in the platen to take care of the different widths of'sheets or cards which are likely to be printed in this apparatus. When changing the machine from one width of sheet to another, the side gage pins are first removed upwardly from the side elevating springs and the respective guide openings 26 in the platen, then the side elevating springs are swung horizontally on their respectiwe supporting posts to bring the front ends of these springs under the desired new m Fig. 4, and then the side-gage pins are passed downwardly through said openings and the slots of the side elevating springs, whereby the side gage device has been reset for a. different width of sheet to be printed. When the printing device is disengaged from the gagin means and the top of the lie gage pins and retaining means are elevated so that the'front retaining bar and side retaining heads are disengaged from the top of the uppermost sheet of the pile during which time the supply of sheets or cards may be replenished, and the uppermost sheet of the pile which has been "printed ma be removed and thereby expose the next ower sheet preparatory to printing the same. The upward movement of the side gagin and retaining means at this time is limite by the front endsof the respective elevating springs engaging with the underside of the plate, as shown in Fig. 8, while the front gaging and retaining means rise until they strike some parts of the printing device immediately above the same,

.as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The printing device whereby the impresslons or copies are produced on successive I sheets is movable toward of the sheets and in the preferred form the same is constructed as follows:

44 represents a stencilizable sheet upon which the stencil of the subject matter to be printed may be formed by means of an ordinary typewriter, the type of which upon striking the stencilizable sheet will produce stencil erforations therein corresponding to the c aracter of the type in a manner well known in this kind of reproducing apparatus. This stencil sheet is supported on a vertically swinging holder or printing frame which is preferably of rectangular form and comprises two l ngitudinal side bars 45, and two cross bars 46 connecting the side bars near opposite ends thereof. The stencil has its body portion arranged lengthwise within the space enclosed by the frame or holder bars and has its end portions 47 passed upwardly around the outer edges of the cross bars 46 and inwardly over the top of the same. Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the ends of the stencil sheet to the cross bars of the holder frame, those shown in the drawings being suitable and consisting of grooves .48 which are formed transversely of the machine in the upper side of the cross bars 46, clamping bars which engage with the upper side of the ends of the stencil sheet and deflect the same into said slots 48, clips 49 engaging with opposite ends of each clampmg bar, and screws 50 for connecting the clips with the holder frame. The clamping bars are somewhat wider than the slot 48, so that the stencil sheet will be gripped between the edges of each slot and the sur'faceof the respective clamping bar and each clamping bar is preferably constructed of a core or rod 51 of metal and a covering 52 of rubber or similar material enclosing the rod, whereby the same will engage the stencil with a yielding grip without injuring the same and still hold it firmly in place. By this means a stencil sheet after being provided with stencil perforations may be easily and quickly attached to the rintin frame or holder re aratory to 5 a P P pro ucing printed copies of the same on the sheets and the same can also be rapidly replaced by another stencil sheet when the subject matter is to be changed.

This stencil frame is pivotally mounted at its front end on the table or platen which latter for this purpose serves as part of a main frame, this pivotal connection permitting the stencil frame to swing vertically for bringing the stencil sheet down upon the sheet to be printed preparatory to producing an impression of the stencil thereon and thereafter raising said stencil sheet from the printed sheet to permit of removing thelatter. x The pivotal connection between the stencil frame and'the platen is so organized and from the top Ill tlti tit stat ll'ttlt immunity it it ttfltfltttfl trait tlllttttl u it scends in the same measure as the height of the pile of sheets decreases and for this purpose the same is preferably organized as follows:

53 represents an oscillating carrying or supporting plate, preferably of metal, which is arranged transversely over the front part of the platen and provided on its underside with two downwardly-projecting pivot pins 54 which are arranged transversely in line and engage with pivot openings 55 in the front part of the platen. said openings being flared lengthwise of the platen, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, so as to permit the pins 54: to not only slide vertically therein but also rock fore and aft in a vertical plane with the oscillating plate and the parts mounted thereon. The stencil frame -is detachablyconnected with this oscillating plate by providing the front ends of the side bars of this frame with forwardly-opening slots or notches 56 and securing these ends to the upper side of the oscillating plate by means of clamping screws 57 passing through the notches 56 and engaging their lower endswith threaded openings 550 in the oscillating plate and bearing with their heads against the top of the side bars of the stencil frame. By this means it is possible to make the stencil-sheet ready and conveniently attach the same to the stencil frame before the same, is mounted on theoscillating carrying plate ready for use.

In order to permit of using stencil frames of various widths in connection with the oscillating carrying plate when sheets of different widths are to be printed, the carrying plate 53 is provided with additional openings 550 which are spaced apart at the proper distance relatively to each other to permit of so placing the clamping screws 57 on the carrying plate that they will receive.

the slotted front ends of the side bars of stencil frames of different widths according to the width of the printed sheet required. In Fig. 1, a stencil frame of intermediate width is shown in full lines and the clamping screws 57 are therefore arranged in an intermediate pair of openings 550 in the carrying plate, and a. under stencil frame is shown in dotted lines which necessitates moving the clamping screws 57 to the corresponding pair of openings 550 in the carrying plate which are farther apart.

For the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the stencil frame, the carrying plate is provided on its outer part. with a weight 58 which preferably has the form of a cross bar and is secured to the underside of the carrying plate, so as to be adjustable toward and from the fulcrum of'the carrying plate and thus adjust the effect of the counterbalancingweight to the size of stencilframe which is being used. This adjusting from the fulcrum therein, the lower ends of said screws 59 engaging with the counterweight and the heads thereof bearing against the upper side of the carrying plate. The inner part of the carrying plate rests on the outer edge of the retaining bar of the front gage pins whereby the sheets to be printed are always held reliably in place but still are free to be removed, one at a time, as the printing of the same progresses.

Preparatory to printing each sheet, the stencil frame is lowered which causes one of the side bars thereof to depress the side gage pins and press the retaining heads thereof downwardly into engagement with. the side edge portion of the uppermost sheet and hold the same in place while the printing of the top sheet is being accomplished. This -tl1e' top sheet.- After this has been done the ink roller is removed and the stencil frame is permitted to rise under the action of its counterweight, and the side gaging and retaining pins are raised, thereby releasing the top sheet and permitting easy removal of the same preparatory to, printingthe next sheet.

By means of this apparatus it is possible to prepare the desired text andprint the required copies of the same expeditiously, accurately and neatly with a minimum expenditure of manual effort and in a manner which will avoid waste of material and thus enable work of this character to be done very economically.

I claim as my invention:

1. A printing apparatus comprising a platen adapted to support the sheets to be printed, front gage pins arranged transversely in line and adapted to be engaged by the front edge of the sheets to be printed, a guide on the platen,'a retaining bar connecting said front gage p ns and adapted to engage with the upper side of the sheets to be printed at the front edge of the same, and means for yieldingly holding said pins and retaining bar in an elevated position, comprising a cross bar arranged underneath the platen and connected with said pins, and a leaf spring connected at one end with said platen and at its other a guide on the platen, a retaining bar connecting said front gage pins and adapted to engage with the upper side of the sheets to be printed at the front edge of the same, and means for yieldingly holding said pins and retaining bar in an elevated position, comprising a cross bar arranged underneath the platen and provided with openings each of which receives one of said pins, the lower part of each pin being provided with a shoulder and a screw engaging with opposite sides of said bar, and a leaf spring having one end connected with said platen, and the other end of the same being connected with said bar,

3. A printing apparatus comprising a platen, adapted to support the sheets to be printed, front gage pins arranged transversely in line and adapted to be engaged by the front edge of the sheets to be printed, a guide on the platen, a retaining bar connecting said front gage pins and adapted to engage with the upper side of the sheets to be printed at the front edge of the same, and means for yieldingly holding said pins and retaining bar in an elevated position, comprising a cross bar arranged un derneath the platen and provided with openings each of which receives one of said pins, the lower part of each pin being provided with a shoulder and a screw engaging with opposite sides of said bar, and a leaf spring having one end connected with said platen and the other end of said spring being provided with a slot, and a. pin arranged on the underside of said bar and engaging with the slot in said spring.

4. A printing apparatus comprising a platen adapted to support the sheets to be printed, a gage pin movable vertically on said platen and providedat its upper end with a retaining member adapted to engage with the upper side of said sheets and having its lower end reduced and provided with a downwardly-facing shoulder, and a leaf spring arranged on the underside of the platen and secured at one end thereto and having its other end bearing against the shoulder of the pin and provided with an opening which receives-the reduced end thereof. y

5. A printing apparatus comp-rising a platen adapted to sup ort the sheets to be printed and provide with openings arranged in different places transversely of the platen, a gage pin adapted to be en gaged with one or another of said openings and provided at its upper end with retaining means adaptedto engage with the top of the sheets, and a leaf spring secured at one end to said platen and engaging its other endwith the lower end of said pin. said openings being arranged in a curved row and said spring being pivoted at its rear end on said platen and adapted to be swung horizontally for bringing its front end in operative relation to said pin when the same is shifted from one of said openings to another.

(S. A printing apparatus comprising a frame provided in opposite bars with grooves, astencil sheet having its body extending across the space within said frame and having its ends passing around said bars and over the grooves therein, and clamping bars engaging with the ends of said stencil sheet and pressing the same into said grpoves. 0

t. A printing apparatus comprising a frame provided in opposite bars with grooves, a stencil sheet having its bod extending across the space within said rame and having its ends passing around said bars and over the grooves therein, and clamping bars engaging with the ends of said stencil sheet and pressing the same into said grooves and clips engaging the ends of said I bars and connected with said frame.

8. A printing apparatus comprising a frame provided in opposite bars with grooves, a stencil sheet having its body extending across the space Within said frame and having its ends passing around said bars and over the grooves therein, clamping bars engaging with the ends of said stencil sheet and pressing the same into said grooves,

clips engaging the ends of said bars and connected with said frame, and screws connecting saidclips with said frame.

9. A print-ing apparatus comprising a frame provided in opposite bars with grooves, a stencil sheet having its body extending across the space within said frame and having its ends passing'around said bars and over the grooves therein, clamping bar engaging with the ends of said stencil sheet and pressing the same into said grooves, each of said clamping bars having a metal core and a covering of elastic material.

10. A printing apparatus comprising a table adapted to support the sheets to be printed, a vertically oscillating. plate pivotally -mounted on said table and provided with a plurality of sets of openings arranged in a transverse row, a frame adapted to support a stencil and provided with slots, and screws arranged in said slots and adapted to-. engage with one or another sets of said openings in said plate.

11. A printing apparatus comprising a table adapted to support the sheets to be printed and provided with a pair of pivot openings at its front end, a carrying plate provided with a pair of downwardly projecting pins engaging with said openings, and a stencil frame connected with said plate and adapted to support a stencil.

GEORGE FRANCIS POND. 

